Sunday, March 26, 2017

130-year-old news highlights from The Monroe Journal from March 1887

Grave of Mary Jane Stacey at Manistee.

The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the
direction of publisher Q. Salter, published five editions 130 years ago during
the month of March 1887. Those issues, which were dated March 3, March 10,
March 17, March 24 and March 31, can be found on microfilm at the Monroe County
Library in Monroeville, Ala. What follows are a few news highlights from those
editions. Enjoy.

MARCH 3, 1887

Sudden Death – Mrs. Stacey, the mother of Mr. John Grimes, a
prosperous farmer of this county, died very suddenly at Mr. Lewis Hayles, near
Hunter’s Mill last Friday. She was sitting at the dinner table with the rest of
the family and fell over with her head on the table. She was about 76 years
old. He death is supposed to have been caused from heart disease.

Mr. M.D. Perryman of Buena Vista gave us a call Tuesday. He
has been stricken with the Birmingham fever too.

Capt. John DeLoach went to Mobile Monday to purchase his
plantation supplies.

Rev. J.C. Sturgeon, an able and eloquent divine of Nixburg,
Coosa County, who has recently been employed as pastor of the Monroeville,
Perdue Hill, Scotland and River Ridge churches, has moved with his family to
Monroeville and is occupying the McCorvey residence. He will preach his first
sermon at the Presbyterian church at this place, the third Sunday in March,
when other announcements will be made.

The many friends which Mr. Carman has made in this city are
glad to learn of this eventual step he has taken.

Miss Rankin is an accomplished and beautiful lady and comes
from one of the oldest and most highly respected families of Monroe County,
Ala. We cordially welcome her to our city.

-El Dorado (Mo.) Democrat

MARCH 10, 1887

The steamer W.H. Gardner, one of the largest boats playing
the waters of the Bigbee, was burned near Gainesville, Sumter County, on the 1st.
The boat, together with about 500 bales of cotton, was a total loss, although
fully insured. About 20 lives lost by the accident and among them several
ladies.

Evergreen, March 6 – This community was shocked this morning
at the announcement of the unexpected death of Mrs. Sterns, the postmistress at
this place. Mrs. Sterns was appointed postmistress by President Cleveland and
was one of the first acts of the present administration. She was the widow of
the late John Sterns, Esq., who was one of the ablest and most popular lawyers
in Conecuh County.

Dr. Packer has treated himself to a new buggy horse.

Spring has fairly opened and with plenty of rain.

Mr. J.H. Moore of Claiborne was in Monroeville Tuesday.

The Pound Party – At the residence of Rev. J.C. Sturgeon,
our able Presbyterian minister, on the night of the 2nd inst., was very
pleasant and successful in the highest degree. The attendance was large and
contributions were numerous and acceptable, which is only one among a hundred
instances of the characteristic generosity of the people of Monroeville.

MARCH 17, 1887

Mr. J.R. Posey, formerly of Bell’s Landing, who is now
employed in the popular drug house of J.D. Burke of Montgomery, was in town
Tuesday and gave us a call.

Rev. Mr. Skinner preached at the Baptist church Saturday and
Sunday.

Mr. E.M. Burt, staff correspondent and traveling agent of
the Montgomery Dispatch, gave us a call Monday. Mr. Burt is making a thorough
canvass of the state, collecting data for the mammoth Alabama edition which
Alabama’s popular daily proposes issuing at an early date.

Our esteemed townsman and able lawyer Col. D.L. Neville has
gone to Anniston and entered into partnership with Mr. Creen, a resident lawyer
of that place. The many friends of Col. Neville in this section will be glad to
know that he will continue to practice in the courts of Monroe and adjoining
counties, where he enjoyed the enviable reputation, both as to legal ability
and eloquence that few can rival – and as a criminal lawyer stands preeminent.

Dr. R.I. Braughon of Perdue Hill will deliver a lecture at
the courthouse tomorrow (Friday) night on the subject of the “Science of
Language and English Composition.” A cordial invitation is extended to all.
Come out, you will be benefited by it. Free to all.

Perdue Hill: Several young men here have purchased
Winchester rifles and some of them have learned to shoot them very accurately,
while others seem destined to failure in their attempts to be good marksmen.

MARCH 24, 1887

Frost has been visible for several mornings past.

The schedule of the departure and arrival of the Repton mail
has been changed by order of the Second Assistant Postmaster General, making
the mail to leave Monroeville Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 3:30 p.m., arrive
at Repton at 6:30 p.m. and return to Monroeville by 10 p.m. of the same day.

The new schedule will, we think, give much better
satisfaction to the people of both Monroeville and Repton.

Died – Mr. John N. Sanders, one of the most influential
citizens and successful businessmen of Pineville, died at his home at the place
on the night of the 16th inst. after a severe and painful illness of
several weeks duration.

We publish on the first page of today’s Journal an act for
the relief of Confederate soldiers.

Forest fires in the pine woods south of Monroeville are
reported to have done great damage to the fences.

Fishing excursions to Limestone and neighboring streams are
quite frequent. The excursions are usually made on foot.

Col. Nick Stallworth, one of the most prominent and
successful lawyers of Evergreen, was in town Monday on business.

MARCH 31, 1887

There are five prisoners confined in the county jail
awaiting the action of the courts.

Commissioners Court will convene on the 2nd
Monday in April.

Mr. W.C. Stevens, who is now connected with the live grocery
house of S. Richard & Sons of Mobile was in town this week.

Rev. Mr. Sturgeon will preach at the Presbyterian church
next Sunday.

Death at Mt. Pleasant – On Sunday, the 30th day
of March 1887, Mrs. Louisa E. Snow, wife of Mr. James T. Snow, and daughter of
Mr. Mason and Sarah Shell, died of typhoid pneumonia at her home near Mt. Pleasant,
Ala., after an illness of only five days.

Mrs. Snow was born in Randolph County, Ga. and was about 41
years of age. She was married to Mr. Snow in Conecuh County, Ala. on the 2nd
day of January 1860.

Mrs. DeLoach, mother of Capt. John DeLoach, has been quite
sick for several days.

Rev. M.M. Graham filled Rev. Mr. Cowan’s appointment at the
Methodist church last Sunday. Mr. Cowan’s throat is improving, but he has not
recovered sufficiently to resume his labors in the pulpit.

Several commercial tourists were in town this week.

Mrs. Jno. I. Watson, who has been ill for several days, is
improving slowly.